Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have chronic fatigue syndrome or tinnitus that was present in service or is otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and PTSD. The RO must attempt to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, obtain all outstanding VA medical records, and schedule a VA examination if necessary.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, bilateral genu varus (claimed as trench foot), tinnitus, left leg condition, right arm condition, and head condition. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the earliest claims were filed in August 2003.,There is no evidence prior to August 14, 2003 that can be construed as a claim for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and thus cannot establish service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a local RO hearing before a Veteran's Law Judge in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, and his tinnitus is already rated at its maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus did not develop during service or due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a noncompensable rating. The initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and status post removal of a sebaceous cyst on the face are being remanded to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were not related to his military service. The claim for a higher rating for Hodgkin's disease was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus to service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's service records do not show any evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during his military service. However, he claims that exposure to noise in Vietnam caused these conditions after service. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim for an increased disability rating is denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) on the basis of a need for regular aid and attendance and/or being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sleep disturbance secondary to tinnitus. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory disorder and tinnitus are not related to military service.